Chapter 2: A Dance with the Prince

At the party later that eve, it seemed all anyone could talk about was Evelyn's performance as well as the story of how she had helped her father and mother defend themselves on the road. The story seemed to grown with each telling. Evelyn's dance card was filled much more quickly than she had expected.

The king's son Cailan seemed to be very taken with her, much to the annoyance of Anora Mac'Tir who long since had her eyes on him. As was his duty, Cailan was the first to take the Lady Cousland out onto the floor for a dance.

Afterwards, Cailan turned to the red head with a smile. "Lady Evelyn, you are very skilled at playing the piano. Perhaps I can convince my father to purchase one so you would not have to risk damage in the trip from Highever."

"That would be excellent, your Highness."She replied, returning his smile with one of her own.

Cailan smiled at the joy on Evelyn's face at his suggestion. As someone approached to speak with her, he took the opportunity to study her. Her blue eyes sparkled as she spoke to the young woman, retelling for what must have been the 100th time the bandit's attack. She had changed a lot since he had last seen her. She had been all knees and elbows then.

"My lady, let me assure you that the royal guard will do all that is necessary to see to it that the King's Road will be made safe for your return trip." He interjected as the woman asked if Evelyn was worried about another attack when they left for Highever.

Evelyn curtsied and nodded her head in thanks. "That is indeed a relief. It is not an experience I am want to repeat."

"Prince Cailan, I don't wish to be too forward, but you did promise me a dance." Anora smiled sweetly as she joined them. She had watched the pair dance and then talk for sometime and she felt it was high time that she received some of the Prince's attention.

"Yes, I did. Please excuse me, my lady." Cailan inclined his head to Evelyn before taking Anora's hand and leading her to the floor. Anora blatantly smirked over her shoulder as they walked away.

When the woman, whom Evelyn couldn't remember the name of wandered away, Nathaniel Howe came up to her then, "Lady Evelyn, would you honor me with a dance?" He asked gallantly, bowing slightly at the waist. He was two years older than her and she secretly had been infatuated with him for most of the last year.

She smiled and bobbed a curtsy before letting him lead her to the floor. 'Nathaniel is a decent looking man.' Evelyn thought to herself. 'He was fortunate not to inherit his father's nose.' His hand was cool and dry as it gently clasped hers. She had to admit, that he was a skilled dance partner. He deftly took lead and she was able to follow his guidance perfectly. For all his good qualities, however her eyes kept catching the gaze of the Prince. It seemed that they both found their partners' dancing adequate, yet it could not hold their attention.

Evelyn internally scolded herself. 'Here I am dancing with the man I've been pining after for over year, and all I can think about is how bright Cailan's blue eyes were when he smiled at me.'

To keep her thoughts from drifting from the man who was holding her, Evelyn inquired about life in Amaranthine.

"Everything has been going well, Evelyn. You should come and visit some time. My sister would love the company." He suggested, hoping she would visit more for himself than his sister.

"I may just do that." She smiled, thinking that it wasn't very liking. His sister was a bit of a toad.

As the song changed to a faster tempo, the dancers began to weave about, swapping partners to the song. As luck would have it, Evelyn soon found herself in the arms of Prince Cailan.

He smiled brightly, "Lady Evelyn." Blushing at the warmth his hand on the small of her back, she inclined her head in his direction and rested her own hand on his bicep.

"If you do not care to run the risk of gossip, I would rather have you call me Evelyn. Lady can be a stuffy title." She encouraged as them moved smoothly across the floor.

"Evelyn," She noted how her name sounded much better when he said it. "then please call me Cailan. I grow tired of stuffy titles myself." He winked as they spun and glided across the room, the chemistry between was obvious.

"Cailan seems to have taken a liking to your daughter Bryce." King Maric placed his hand on his old friend's shoulder as they stood beside the dais that held the Throne watching their children dance.

"It would seem so. If she were older and more agreeable to marriage, I would consider the match." Bryce smiled at his king and friend. "She has told Eleanor on more than one occasion that she is too young to marry right now and wants to enjoy some time at court before thinking of settling down."

Maric chuckled at that. "Aye I can see she inherited her father's stubborn spirit, perhaps in a few years we will discuss such a union." Scanning the crown, the King spotted his adviser. "Ah! Loghain! Excuse me Bryce." He said, clapping the other man on the shoulder before moving to Loghain's side.

The song ended all too soon for Evelyn's liking. Even though she only danced with Cailan for a few minutes, she still felt his hand like a brand on her waist.

"Thank you for the dance, Cailan." She told him once he released her.

"You're very welcome. You are by far the best dancer in the room, my lady Evelyn. It was truly a pleasure. Would you care for a drink?" He asked, glancing in the direction of the large table laden with food and wine.

"Yes, please." Evelyn was warmed by his chivalry. As he walked away, she all but felt someone staring. When she turned, she caught a glimpse of Anora's hate filled gaze before it quickly was hidden behind a mask of aloofness. Ignoring the spiteful woman, Evelyn moved to her father's side.

"Are you having a good time, pup?"

"Yes, father. I have made many new friends, and apparently one enemy." Evelyn looked pointedly at Anora. "It appears Lady Mac'Tir is jealous." She said wrinkling her nose is distaste.

Bryce laughed, "Ah, pup tis the way of the ladies of court to behave as such. Don't let it bother you." He smiled and kissed her cheek.

The remainder of the party went by quickly; Evelyn danced with other noble sons, pleasantly answered questions about her skill at the piano and humbly refused the title of the Jewel of Highever.

Anora, inviting all manners of ill gossip claimed every dance with Cailan for the rest of the night. Much to her ire, he soon started refusing to dance. He could not turn her down for the last dance however, and was all but dragged to the dance floor.

"More's the pity." Evelynn spoke aloud as she watched Anora snap up the defenseless Prince.

"He doesn't seem very enthused." Nathanial laughed as he guided Evelynn to the dance floor. She laughed then celebrating her new friend's wit.

A/N: Hope you all like this one. I know my chapters are short but between school and family I'm lucky to get this. LOL. Please review if you like and I'm always open for suggestions. TY